Our Mission & Purpose

Our Mission

Our mission is to change the norms around youth digital technology use by supporting parents with connection, resources and confidence to drive collective action within their families, schools and communities.

We Support:

1. Forgoing or delaying as long as possible tablets, smartphones + social media. Consider a landline or a basic phone instead.

2. Phone-Free Schools - bell-to-bell

3. More independence, free play, and real world experiences

4. Rethinking school technology to support deeper learning

Our Purpose

Over time, screen-based technologies have expanded into nearly every aspect of children’s and adolescents’ daily lives, often displacing in-person friendships, play, focus, and imagination. While technology companies promised connection and opportunity, many families have experienced growing isolation, distraction, and depletion as children’s attention has become increasingly monetized.

SFCxUS operates as a national connective and empowering organization. Its core function is to support individuals and groups who are seeking to take action on issues related to tablets, smartphones, video games, social media, and educational technology for children and adolescents.

Specifically, SFCxUS:

Connects parents, educators, and advocates across communities and issue areas to share experience, lessons learned, and support

Provides action-oriented resources, tools, and guidance that can be adapted to local contexts

Builds on credible, aligned organizations and evidence-based resources, while remaining independent and free from Big Tech influence

Creates spaces for learning, coordination, and problem-solving through community calls, working groups, and peer networks

We are an incubator and accelerator, testing and elevating community-driven solutions, and accelerating change by identifying, refining, and sharing the most promising tactics emerging across the network

SFCxUS focuses on how to make change happen – moving beyond awareness to implementation – while recognizing that effective action looks different across communities.

" We believe there’s a better way—one where in-real-life connection is prioritized over screens, and our children’s wellbeing is prioritized over the profit of tech companies. "

Our Commitment to Independence

Smartphone Free Childhood US (SFCxUS) exists to protect and restore healthy childhoods by reducing the influence of smartphones, social media, and other persuasively designed digital technologies on children. To maintain our integrity and act in the best interests of children (ages 0–18), we are committed to financial independence.

We do not accept funding from corporations, foundations or non-profits whose financial interests conflict with our mission. This includes companies and corporate foundations that produce, promote, or profit from online and digital products aimed at children and families, including, but not limited to, social media, smartphones, AI-based automation tools, video games, digital “safety” filters, and products marketed as educational technology. We also do not accept donations from their senior executives, board members, or significant shareholders.

We aim to speak with a clear and independent voice, free from financial entanglements or real or perceived bias. Our advocacy, education, and recommendations are grounded in independent science and guided only by what is best for children, not by any corporate or political agenda.

Disclaimer:
Smartphone Free Childhood international groups are independent, self-governing, and self-organizing. The views contained on this website and in the Smartphone Free Childhood US WhatsApp groups are not necessarily those of the organizers. Smartphone Free Childhood UK does not endorse any action by these independent groups.